Nigeria Meteorological Agency: NiMet, Don Warn Say 19 States For The Country Dey Face High Risk Of Flash Flood As Rainy Season Dey Become Stronger. The Affected States Stretch From Zamfara For North-West Reach Bayelsa For South-South, And Includes Some Of Nigeria Biggest And Most Populated Urban Centres Like Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, And Anambra.
NiMet warning don show say many communities across Nigeria fit face serious flooding as heavy rains dey approach, especially because plenty cities no get strong drainage systems or proper urban planning to handle large amount of water.
According to the agency,residents for affected areas need prepare for flooded roads and blocked drainage, power outage because floodwater fit affect electrical facilities, and higher risk of waterborne sicknesses like cholera and typhoid for areas wey dirty water and sewage mix with floodwater.
The agency explain say the problem no be only because of rainfall alone.Dem say many years of uncontrolled urban expansion, poor town planning, and weak drainage system don make many Nigerian cities more exposed to flooding. As population dey grow quickly, many drainage networks no dey upgraded to carry the amount of water wey heavy rainfall dey bring.
People dey build houses and shops for flood-prone and swampy areas. For many communities, wetlands and natural water pathways don turn to residential estates, markets, and business centres. When heavy rain fall, water no get free channel to pass through again, causing serious overflow into streets and homes.
According to weather experts, the warning follow one seasonal pattern wey dem don already know well. After many months of dry season, ground for most parts of Nigeria dey become hard, making am difficult to absorb rainwater naturally.
So when early rains start to fall, the water no fit enter ground fast fast. Instead, e go gather for roads, compounds, and drainage channels faster pass wetin the available infrastructure fit contain.
Experts warn say if drainage channels don block with dirts and plastic waste, the flooding fit become worse within a short time, especially for places wey people plenty. Areas wey get poor waste disposal systems and communities close to rivers or coastal zones fit to face higher risk.
Apart from destruction of roads and homes,transportation and business activities fit also suffer serious loss in heavily affected locations.
The 19 states wey NiMet identify as high-risk areas include Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa. Officials dey advise residents for these states to clear drainage systems around their homes, avoid dumping refuse inside gutters, and stay alert as rainfall intensity increases in coming weeks.
